Houston icon Guy V. Lewis to join Hall of Fame

Updated 11:06 pm, Thursday, April 4, 2013

During his 30 years at Houston, Guy V. Lewis won 592 games and led the Cougars to the Final Four five times.

During his 30 years at Houston, Guy V. Lewis won 592 games and led the Cougars to the Final Four five times.

Photo: Larry Reese / Houston Chronicle

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Former UH coach Guy V. Lewis, left, and Hakeem Olajuwon helped transform the Cougars into a college basketball powerhouse.

Former UH coach Guy V. Lewis, left, and Hakeem Olajuwon helped transform the Cougars into a college basketball powerhouse.

Photo: KAREN WARREN, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

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Guy V. Lewis, (center) with two of his star pupils: Hakeem and Clyde.

Guy V. Lewis, (center) with two of his star pupils: Hakeem and Clyde.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

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Legendary University of Houston coach Guy V. Lewis was named a finalist Friday for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Legendary University of Houston coach Guy V. Lewis was named a finalist Friday for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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Guy V. Lewis' Phi Slama Jama teams made three consecutive trips to the Final Four in the 1980s, finishing national runner-up in 1983 and 1984.

Guy V. Lewis' Phi Slama Jama teams made three consecutive trips to the Final Four in the 1980s, finishing national runner-up in 1983 and 1984.

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Guy V. Lewis was among the first coaches to embrace racial integration in the 1960s, signing Elvin Hayes and Don Chaney as the first African-American players in program history.

Guy V. Lewis was among the first coaches to embrace racial integration in the 1960s, signing Elvin Hayes and Don Chaney as the first African-American players in program history.

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Guy V. Lewis was the architect of the “Game of the Century” between No. 1 UCLA, featuring Lew Alcindor, and No. 2 UH at the Astrodome. The game, won by the Cougars 71-69, attracted a then-record crowd of 52,693 and was the first regular-season game televised nationally.

Guy V. Lewis was the architect of the “Game of the Century” between No. 1 UCLA, featuring Lew Alcindor, and No. 2 UH at the Astrodome. The game, won by the Cougars 71-69, attracted a then-record crowd of

Guy V. Lewis had his Hall of Fame medal at the home game against Arizona. He coached 15 All-Americans while at UH.

Guy V. Lewis had his Hall of Fame medal at the home game against Arizona. He coached
15 All-Americans while at UH.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

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After he was hurt, Guy V. Lewis insisted on attending the game against Arizona and a UH luncheon. He was greeted by former player Elvin Hayes at halftime at Hofheinz Pavilion. Early fears that he broke a shoulder proved unfounded.

After he was hurt, Guy V. Lewis insisted on attending the game against Arizona and a UH luncheon. He was greeted by former player Elvin Hayes at halftime at Hofheinz Pavilion. Early fears that he broke a

An official announcement will come Monday at the Final Four in Atlanta.

During a 30-year career at UH, Lewis won 592 games and made 14 NCAA tournament appearances, including five trips to the Final Four. The Cougars made three consecutive Final Four trips in the 1980s, finishing as national runners-up in 1983 and 1984.

“The résumé speaks for itself,” Elvin Hayes, UH's all-time leading scorer and rebounder and member of the Hall of Fame, said last month. “There is no doubt. None.”

Lewis became a finalist during an announcement at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston. He was ineligible for induction for five years, according to Hall by-laws, after failing to receive enough support for three consecutive years from 2005-07.

He became eligible again this year and was among a pool of 31 candidates voted on by the North American committee.

“If he doesn't get in this time, we've got to mutiny,” said Drexler, who was inducted into the Hall in 2004, said recently. “He was the greatest coach ever in the southern region of the United States. He's the father of modern basketball in the South. He was instrumental in all kinds of change. He was a visionary, and he was a winner.”

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Lewis was the architect of the “Game of the Century” between No. 1 UCLA, featuring Lew Alcindor, soon to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and No. 2 Houston at the Astrodome. The game, won by the Cougars 71-69, attracted a then-record crowd of 52,693 and was the first regular-season college basketball game televised nationally.

Lewis also was among the first coaches to embrace racial integration in the 1960s, signing Hayes and Don Chaney as the first African-American players in program history.

“Where the game of basketball is today is because of Guy V. Lewis,” said Hayes, who was inducted into the Hall in 1990.